Earthly Shadows (Murphy's Law Book 3) Read online

  I pulled my hand away, shaking it as the tingles ran up my arm. "Extra strength that time."

  "Probably because the three of us were all in contact."

  Staring at Torren's sleeping face, appreciating the moments of rest Cal's healing was giving him, I asked one of the many questions weighing on me. "Will we ever find a way to set him free?"

  "Have faith, Laney." Cal's voice was warm and low. "We'll find a way."

  I nodded, scrubbing my hands over my face to wipe away the tears that suddenly threatened to spill. If I gave in now, I was afraid I might never stop. Instead of letting them out, I stood and moved to the door. "I'll go sit with Angus for a while. See how he's doing."

  Cal didn't say anything, but the worry on his face told me I hadn't hid my feelings as well as I'd wanted to. I closed the door on the two men bound to me by a magic I didn't always understand and went to the bedroom across the hall where my father rested.

  Moose lifted his head as I stopped beside him, his big body blocking the doorway. I gave his ears a friendly scratch. "Are you guarding the door? Or waiting for me to come give you some love?"

  He gave a little cough and then licked my hand before getting to his feet. Newt had hurt him too, and the panic I'd felt when I thought my Hound had been taken from me was quick to rise up. I gave his sleek black fur a long stroke down his back and he twisted, turning himself until I could reach his favorite spot just above his tail. I gave that area a thorough scratching, earning a happy sigh in return. When he was satisfied, he nudged me with his head and moved out of the way so I could enter the bedroom.

  The door knob turned easily, but I paused at the threshold, checking for any traps Angus might have set since we'd left him alone.

  "It's safe." His voice came from the dark corner, where shadows hid his expression from me. The chuckle that followed my hesitation lifted some of the tension that had settled on me. "I swear, Laney. No booby traps in here."

  I eased into the room and perched myself on the side of the bed. He shifted to look at me and the shadows moved away from him, like oil seeping back into a stain. I'd never seen that happen before and fear tightened like a vise around my middle.

  Angus lifted a book from the nightstand, and then raised an eyebrow. On the cover, a pirate held a sword in one hand, while his other was wrapped possessively around the waist of a buxom woman as he leaned down to kiss her.

  "I take it this is Callum's room?"

  I laughed. "It is. He loves those old romances."

  "Researching humans still, is he?" He shook his head. "Some things never change."

  "He swears by them."

  A sad smile curved over my father's face. "Can't blame him. They taught me a fair bit. Helped me catch your mother in the end."

  "I didn't realize that you and Cal read the same books."

  "I gave him a bunch from my collection when he decided he wanted to learn about humans. He hasn't done too bad, I think." He patted my hand when I looked away, no doubt the pink in my cheeks obvious to his sharp eyes. "Your Uncle Newt was the one who suggested them in the beginning."

  Grief hit me like a jab to the solar plexus, driving all the air from me along with what little energy I had left. Angus took my hand in his and we sat together in silence. I thought of everything Newton had stolen from us in the past few days.

  "I understand him, you know."

  I pulled my hand away and didn't miss the flash of hurt on his face at my movement. "What do you mean you understand him?"

  "Newton. I understand why he's done these things."

  Fury filled me, and I could feel the darkness I'd shoved down deep to keep it from swelling, searching for a way to free itself and rise up to my center.

  "Don't make the mistake of thinking that I accept what he did, Laney. He took away one of the only things I care for in this world, or any other. Above or Below. He took your mother. He tried to take you. I will kill him for those things. But I still understand why he did them."

  "He knew her, Angus." My voice trembled, the thin cold edge of it harsh and angry. "He helped raise me. How could he hurt us like this?"

  "Because he was hurt, Love. There are so many things you don't know, the history of it all. To him, he'd been by my side for everything. He was with me even before The Fall. He joined the rebellion I called for and was cast out with me. He was the one I turned to until I chose to replace him with your mother. And then you came along, and he lost his place yet again."

  My eyes stung at the mention of my mother, and I blinked the tears away. I would not cry because of Newt. I refused to do that.

  "I'm sorry, though." Angus reached for my hand again and this time I didn't pull away. "I'm sorry for how you've been hurt and everything you've lost along the way. I will kill him, Delaney. I promise you that."

  "I need to check your injuries," I said, hoping to change the subject. "Callum wants to make sure you're healing."

  Angus lifted up the edge of his shirt, the white print of the concert tee still bright against its black background. "It feels fine."

  The skin of his abdomen was pink, and the line where the gash had opened him up less than a day ago was faded and only slightly raised. When I skimmed my fingers over the top of the scar, I could feel the magic working underneath it. Closing my eyes, I focused on it like Callum had taught me to. Sinking down into the sensation, I could trace the power all the way to its core, where the magic that made Angus what he was lived and saw where Cal's healing had melded with it. For the first time, I was able to see my dad’s power. I'd never tried to see it before, had been afraid to.

  It was dark in the center, threads of red pulsing through it,. and Cal's golden energy layered on top. It was beautiful.

  "I told you. It's better."

  His voice pulled me back to the world, away from the focus on what resided inside him.

  "Is that the same in me?" The question left me before I could stop myself.

  His emerald bright eyes met mine, mirrors of my own. "My best guess, they're similar. But you aren't me, Delaney. You are your own person with parts of me, parts of your mother, blended together into a wonderful, individual soul who would do anything for anyone. My fate doesn't have to be yours."

  "I'm stubborn. Like you. I can do terrible things, also like you. And I have a chunk from Below living inside me. Again, like you." The weight of everything I listed rested heavily on my shoulders. Hells, I was tired.

  "You're also kind, like your mother. You try to do the right thing every time, even when it's not easy. You take care of people." A scratching at the door caused Angus to smile and he raised his voice a fraction, just to make sure it traveled across the space. "And Hounds too, of course, Moose. Nobody's going to forget about you."

  We sat in silence together, thinking over what had been discussed. Everything was still so raw, so fresh, but there was one thing I knew we had to do.

  "I'm going with you, Angus," I said, meeting his gaze firmly. "I'm going Below and I'll help you hunt Newt down."

  "Is revenge really going to make any of this better for you?"

  I smiled, fierce and hard, a slash across my face that bared my teeth. "I don't care. I need to know he's punished. I need to see him die."

  "All of which I can respect. Do you have a plan for how we start looking? Newton knows Below better than you do. Better than I do, probably, considering how I've been splitting my attention over the years."

  I nodded, reaching into my pocket, and pulling out the compass Miss Tilly had given to me earlier. I held it up and, even in the darkness of the room, it shone.

  "Now, where did you get that pretty thing?" Angus asked, a powerful interest in his voice.

  "Miss Tilly. She said it will take me where I want to go. And I want to go wherever Newt is. So I can help you kill him."

  The silence between us stretched, a brittle, fragile thing. When my father finally spoke, he simply said, "That's my girl." I couldn't tell if he was sad or proud. I didn't ask because I wa
sn't sure I wanted to know.

  I said goodbye and told him to get some rest. As I left the room, I heard a strange sound, something like a sob, but I didn't turn around to go back to him. We were enough alike that I knew he needed time to grieve in private. Still, I couldn't keep myself from resting my head against the door and listening just in case.

  My father's voice lifted, the words of a song I knew audible through the wall separating us.

  Tonight, all I can leave behind

  Are these earthly shadows

  For you to find.

  There was a pause, as if he needed to gather himself before he continued with the chorus.

  Tonight, all I can leave behind,

  Are my earthly shadows,

  For you to find.

  Cal stepped out into the hallway, his eyes meeting mine, a concerned look on his face. He opened his mouth as if to ask a question, but I shook my head, placing my finger against my lips to keep him quiet. We stood there together, on opposite sides of the dim hallway, and listened to Angus say his final goodbye to the woman he loved. When he was done and there was nothing but silence, Callum reached for me. I took what he offered, letting him pull me into a warm hug. He didn't say anything as I rested my head against his chest and hid the tears leaking from my eyes. Cal held me, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head, and it was as if we were saying goodbye too. Goodbye to what we'd been before and what we could have become.

  3

  When I woke the next morning, I was surprised at that every part of me hurt. I hadn't realized how much I'd stretched myself during the battle and then restoring my house to livable condition.

  "I can make you feel better," came the husky, sleep-soaked voice at my back. "Only if you want me to, of course."

  Remembering last night had me flushing. With both Torren and Angus needing uninterrupted sleep to facilitate their healing, we were left with only one free bed. This wasn't the first time I'd woken up beside Cal, but it was the first time I hadn't been unconscious for a good part of it. The comfort I'd felt as he'd curled up behind me and pulled me close to his chest still lingered. Even though I no longer needed his warmth, I still wanted it. It eased a part of me that had been raw and hurting.

  "Are you sure you're up for it?" I meant it seriously. He'd poured a lot of his energy into Angus and Tor to get them stable and on the path to recovery. I didn't want him wasting power on me that he might need for himself.

  "I'm always up for it." He chuckled as he said those words, his breath stirring the loose hairs against my cheek. A flicker of amusement filtered from him into me. "And you're never a waste."

  I rolled over, meeting his bright eyes. The direct look he gave me made my stomach flip with nerves. "Can we keep our clothes on for this?"

  That got a laugh. "My research says I should insist otherwise, but in this case, I think we can manage to stay fully clothed."

  "You and your romance novels." I lifted the hem of my shirt and he rested his large hand just over my belly button. When our skin met, I felt a thrum roll between us and relaxed as the soothing warmth of his healing talent poured into me. I could feel it spreading out from my center, seeking out the tired, sore muscles, soothing them in an instant. I closed my eyes and savored the feeling, even as I added, "Angus said that he loaned you the ones he used to read."

  "He's the one who started my collection. The old ones are the best." His voice was soft, lulling me into a comfortable haze. He could talk to me forever like that.

  "He likes you," I said, the words out before I could stop them.

  Cal didn't respond right away, he just kept his palm flat against my skin, heat pouring from him and the bond between us glittering gold behind my eyelids. When he did say something, it wasn't that much of a surprise. "I like him too. He's a good man, underneath it all. Always has been, in his own way. That's what matters."

  "I'm talking about Angus," I said, with a small laugh.

  "I am too." I could hear a smile in Cal's voice, could picture what it looked like on his face. I knew it so well that even if I never saw him again, I didn't believe I'd be able to forget it.

  The tiredness that had lingered moments ago was gone, a humming energy filling me, and I felt the change in his touch as he recognized the shift within me. His fingers ghosted over my skin, trails of tingles in his wake and I saw the bond between us flare in my mind as he leaned closer. I held my breath, anticipating the press of his lips against mine.

  The scratch of nails against my bedroom door stopped whatever might have happened. With a sigh, I rolled over and slid out of bed. Cal groaned behind me, and I smiled to myself, secretly pleased by evidence of his disappointment.

  Another scratch from the hallway, followed by a questioning whoof told me that there was no sneaking back into my comfortable bed. "Sounds like someone wants to be fed." I scrubbed my long curls back into a ponytail and surveyed Cal's reflection in the mirror. He rested for a moment longer, his eyes closed, and I fought the urge to check the bond for a deeper glimpse of how he was feeling. A large part of me wanted to know, but I was also a little afraid of what that knowledge might reveal.

  The sound of heavy footsteps and my father's voice in the hallway forced my thoughts back to the practical needs of the day. Breakfast for everyone. Then crafting our plan of attack. Because we were all going to Hell. Soon.

  4

  The rich scent of Callum's coffee filled the kitchen. Of all the vices Cal could've had, his love for rare, expensive coffee was at least one that smelled good. So good that I closed my eyes and took a moment to soak in the aroma. I didn't drink the stuff myself, but I could appreciate the effect its scent had on me. I'd forever associate it with this strange angel who ground coffee beans, flipped pancakes, and made bacon as if it was all the easiest thing in the world.

  "It's the only reason I kept him around," Angus muttered to me. He'd never been much of a morning person and hadn't had the benefit of Cal's wake-up healing to start his day.

  "Uh huh." I shook my head at him, taking a sip of the steaming tea in my mug. "You kept a warrior angel with a legendary flaming sword and amazing healing powers alive just because he could make you breakfast Below. Makes perfect sense."

  My father chuckled. "He does have a few other uses, I suppose."

  Moose's nails clicked against the floorboards as he trotted into the room to join us. He sat beside me, eyes wide and adorable. When I shook my head at him, he whined and rested his head on my leg.

  "Nice try, Moose-dog." I patted his head with my free hand as I sipped at my tea. "Not happening. No people food."

  Guilt flashed over my father's face and even Callum turned away as I looked between them. "Really, you two? What have you been sneaking him? Bacon?"

  Angus laughed and glanced down at his plate. "And some pancakes."

  "With syrup," Cal added.

  "And eggs. He really likes scrambled eggs."

  "Why don't you just give him some steak too?" I asked, rolling my eyes. "Better yet, let's order up some filet mignon. I'm sure vets recommend that for dogs all the time."

  Cal leaned against the counter with a smile on his face that made the tension I still carried with me fall from my shoulders. He pointed his spatula at me. "You keep forgetting, he's not actually a dog. He's a Hound. They eat things that would kill most dogs. Pancakes and bacon aren't likely to hurt him any time soon."

  "He may not be a dog, but he's my Hound." I grumbled the words, but my heart wasn't in them. After another low, plaintive whine beside me, I gave in with a sigh. "Fine."

  I broke a piece of bacon in half and tossed it up in the air. Moose leapt into action, snatching the piece from the air, and then settling back down onto his haunches, perfectly still. He waited, hopeful eyes on mine. I held out the last half of a strip to him, unable to fight the smile as he took it carefully from my fingers. He crunched on it and then gave me a wolfish grin. Nudging me with his head, I accepted his thanks with a nod, and watched as he made his way over to
his bowl, which I had to assume was full of the dog food he normally snacked on mixed liberally with bacon bits.

  "You're both spoiling him," I said, pointing at the angel and the devil in turn. "He'll never stop begging after this."

  "Don't blame us," said Angus, poking me in the upper arm. "You're the one who gave in this time. Unable to defend against the pathetic cuteness of a Hound. You never had a chance."

  Moose nodded at us as if he understood, then settled into his plush bed with a haughty sigh, surveying us all as if we were his court. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he just tipped his chin up a little higher, then looked away, over my shoulder.

  Turning, I saw Torren standing at the entrance to the kitchen. He leaned against the trimmed opening, but he was standing up on his own. His color looked better and the bruises had almost faded. The work Cal and I had done on him had paid off physically, but the pain was still there in his eyes. I worried that the haunting memories of his time as Newton's prisoner would never truly leave him.

  Cal set a plate of food on the table and gestured to the empty chair. Torren made his way over and dropped down into the seat. He immediately dug into the food, scarfing it all down under Cal's approving and watchful eye. He refilled the plate without question, giving me a careful nod over Tor's head. I understood. Healing took its toll on the body. Rest was necessary, but afterwards, proper fuel afterwards was essential. I'd been there myself.

  Not wanting to sit and stare at Tor as he devoured a breakfast I knew Callum had made mostly for him, I looked at my father. His physical injuries had faded, only the faintest remnants still lingering. It was the emotional wounds I was worried about with him too. Like Tor, Newton had hurt my father. He'd just done it by hurting the ones he loved.